Bail raised to $500K for felon on firearm charges

EVERETT — A convicted felon who once pointed a handgun at a police officer is facing criminal prosecution after Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies allegedly found him seated in a stolen vehicle loaded with guns.

Prosecutors allege that a Chevrolet Tahoe boosted from outside a hotel in Kirkland was tracked down last month to a Snohomish-area home. Deputies reportedly found Todd Michael Bass, 30, behind the wheel.

In the back of the Tahoe, deputies also found a dozen guns, including pistols, assault rifles and shotguns, court papers said. There also was a large quantity of ammunition inside the sport utility vehicle. Deputies said they discovered two other guns in a Chevy Impala that Bass reportedly left at the property.

The majority of the guns were stolen during home break-ins, court papers said.

Deputies also recovered tools taken during a burglary at a home in Auburn. They also found a stolen Ford van parked next to the Tahoe. The ignitions to both vehicles had been damaged, allowing the cars to be started without keys.

Bass made a brief court appearance Monday in Snohomish County Superior Court. He pleaded not guilty to a handful of charges, including being a felon in possession of a gun, and possession of stolen vehicles and a firearm.

A deputy prosecutor asked Judge Anita Farris to increase bail, alleging that Bass is potential risk to the community. She said Bass faces up to 16 years in prison if he’s convicted of the charges.

The defendant’s attorney argued for the bail to remain at $100,000. Bass hasn’t been able to bail out since his Jan. 21 arrest, he said.

Farris sided with the prosecutor and ordered Bass held on $500,000.

Court papers say Bass isn’t allowed to possess or own firearms. He was convicted in 2003 of second-degree assault and three counts of unlawful gun possession. The convictions arose from an incident involving police in King County. Officers there were investigating an armed robbery and stopped Bass after he was seen near the crime scene wearing clothing similar to the robbery suspect. Police reported that Bass pulled a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun from his pocket and pointed the weapon in an officer’s face. The officer was able to deflect the gun and disarm Bass, court papers said.

Bass pleaded guilty to the charges. He was released from prison in 2010. There is no indication that since getting out of prison Bass has had any run-ins with police until last month’s arrest.